The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-27

cate
sin reply to the charge that notification was
secession in another form, Mr.. Lamar quoted Mr..
Calhoun saying:
There is indeed one view. and the only, of
the contest. in which force could be employed: but
that view between the parties. would supersece
the Constitution sef-that notification is secession
and would consequently place the State. as to the
others, in the relation of foreign state.
Standing thus towards one another. force might IN
deed. be ployed against State, but IT must be
belligerent force preceded by declaration OF war
and carried on with all its formates. Such would
be the certain effect of secession: and il notification
be secession such too be its effect which pre-
sents the highly important question, Are they. IN
fact the same or the decision of which depends the
question whether notification be peaceable and con-
stitutona remedy that be exercised without ter
minating the federal relations of the State or not
Il am aware that there is considerable ana re-
spectacle portion of State with very large por-
ton of tho Union. constituting, in fact. great ma
differing only In name. and who under thar lnpres-
sion, denounce it the most dangerous or all doc
trnes; and yet far from being the they are,
enless INDEED am greatly deceived not only per-
Sectly dstinguishsbe, but totally dssimar in their
nature their object and effect; and that, far from
deserving the denuncation properly belonging to
the act with which is COMPOUNDED it is in truth the
highest and most precious of all the rights OF the
States and essential to preserve that Union for
the supposed effect of destroying which it is bit
terly mathematical. They wholly dissimiIar in
their nature. Secession is withdrawal from the
Union a throwing off of the authority OF
the Union itself separation from partners and
far as il depends the member withdraw
ing dissolution Of the partnership 1t presupposes
association union of several States or individ
uas tor common object < Modification. on
the contrary presupposes the relation OF principal
and agent; the granting power to be executed.
the other appointed by him with authority to execute
it. and is simply declaration the part of the
principal made in due form that act OF the agent
transcending his power is null and void. r The
difference in their object is less striking than
their The object of secession is to free the
Withdrawing member from the obligation of the
citation or union. etc. Its direct and immediate OBJ
ject as it concerns the withdrawing member, is the
concerned On the contrary, the object of nullifca
ton is to confne The agent within the limits OF his
powers by arresting his acts transcendng them, not
with the view of destroying the delegated trust
DC xer but it by compelling the agent to
fulfill the object for which the agency trust
created; ard is applicable only to cases where the
trust delegated powers transcribed the part
of the agent.
1T remains now show that their effect is dis
similar as their nature object.
Modification leaves the members of the association
or union in the condition it found then-subject to
all its burdens and entitled to all its advantages.
comprehending the member multiplying well as the
others-its object being not to destroy. but to pre-
serve, as has been stated r Secession On the
contrary, destroys. far as the withdrawing member
is concerned, the association or union. Such
are clearly the differences between them; differences
SO marked that instead of being identical supposed
they form contrast in all the aspects in which they
can be regarded.
Whatever may be the objections to this
doctrine it must be admitted that it had not in
it one element Of disunion 1t might have proved
the government; it might have impaired its
promptness, and vigor, and energy of action,
and probably would; but had it been recognized
and acted upon by the federal government. it
would have ever prevented resort to secession
on the one hand, or resort to force the
other But the right not recognized; it was
denied and inflexib1y opposed by the general
government, which assumed to impose its own
construction of the institution, against that OF
the States, by force.
Just at this time Mr.. Calhoun resigned the
Office of Vice-president and took his seat in the
Senate in place of Gen. Robert Y. Hayne, who
had been chosed Governor Of the State. few
DAYS after he took his seat President jackson
sent q message to Congress transmitting the
dinance Of notification with his own proclama-
tion and recommending the passage OF meas
ures which would enable him to compel, by the
use of military force the obedience and submis-
sion of the States.
at was upon the occasion of this message and
tho force bill, which became a law during that
session, that the great debate took place be-
tween Mr. Webster and Mr.. Calhoun, memora-
BILE for the ability and eloquence displayed, the
eminent character of the two great champions of
the hostile theories and the magnitude of the
questions involved. Up to the time that Mr..
Calhoun took his stand for what he deemed was
the cause of the Constitution and the Union, as
well the liberty and the interest of the people
of his own State, national honors and distinc-
tions and popular applause seemed to have
sought MIN out and crowded his path through
public life. He had, up to that moment. been
regarded as the most renowned and shining
character among living American statesmen, and
next to jackson. the most popular. He was but
one step from the Presidency and was regarded
as the heir-apparept of President Jackson, who,
it was understood would serve but term.
To my mind there is nothing connected with Mr..
Calhoun's life so fraueht with touching pathos
30 characteristic of the grand soul Of the man
the isolation of his position when he took his
place in the United States Senate. He saw all
the popularity which marked the early part of
40 nynOf Y0fn Ha ior.
ity of all his old political associates and friends
in the Senate now in hostile array against him,
and his old political enemies in perfect unanimi-
ty allied with them Not one sister State from
any part of the Union stood by South Carolina
in this final conflict Both houses Of Congress-
with the President of the United States, and
that President Andrew jackson, combined to-
gether In the adoption of measures TO force his
State into submission to the law which
she had nulllfied. Never a contest, to all
seeming, was unequal, so hopeless. But
he quailed not; strong in his own conviction of
the justice of his cause; self poised in the coun-
sells Of his own mind; doing nothing rashly and
yet nothing timdy or doubtfuliy; ready to i'm
molate himself for the right which his State had
intrusted to his defense. this noble, brave man,
on whose brow God had set the seal of truth;
whose eye beamed bright with the devotion that
fired his soul-courage. manliness, sincerity.
truth in every tone and look-greatness in every
lineament of his countenance-stood alone and
prevailed. Yes. prevailed! For the coutro-
mise act which repealed the law that his State
had nullifed The very Congress which passed
the force bill to coerce South Carolina into sub
mission to the tariff of 1928 and 1882 at the
same session repealed those two laws, and An
drew jackson. the man of iron will and pitiless
purpose, in the face of his proclamation, signed
the act that swept from the statute book the
enactment which South Carolina in her as.
serted sovereignty. had declared unconstitu
tional. null and void, and imperative in hel
limits.
ANY account of those stormy times would be
incomplete which left out the majestic figure Of
Henry Clay, the matchless orator. the noble
patriot, whose heart was the sanctuary of all
noble impulses and generous aspirations, the
genius Of Cancellation and harmony who intro
duced his celebrated compromise bill which
averted the storm and substituted peace for in
testine strife Immortal honor to the name Of
Henry Clay!
''And here is presented a spectacle which can
not fail to excite the pride and admiration of al
true Americans. Henry Clay the author of the
American system, of which the protective policy
was the most cherished principle John G. Cal
houn, the representative and champion of tht
reserved rights of the States and their sover
eighty; Andrew jackson the stern, inf1exible en-
forcsr of the supreme power and paramount au
thority of the Nation; each bursting the tram
meln of party, casting aside sectional animosity
Designating pride of opinion and personal hos
Utilities; each making concessions, and all givin,
theis united tribute of intellect and patriotism
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